Disappointed in Riviera Maya-will I like Costa Rica better?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve been traveling to Cancun/Playa del Carmen/Akumal/Tulum area for the last 30 years. I love the beaches, ruins, food, etc.

Our last trip though, in 2021 was the first time we’d been since 2016, and it was super disappointing. The sargassum (even though it was winter, it popped up a couple of times), the crowds, the exploding prices, the scams, etc. It just felt like everything had changed in a bad way. Things that used to cost $5-10 (like admission to a cenote), were now $30-40 and crowded. Not to mention the security situation, which escalated in the days before our trip. All was fine and we felt safe, but I didn’t enjoy worrying about it and monitoring it.

I’ve never been to Costa Rica-would that be a good alternative? Or Cartagena, Columbia? I’m looking for beaches and cute colonial towns. Ideally Spanish speaking. I know CR has also exploded in popularity the last couple of years so worried it will have similar problems to Cancun/Riviera Maya. I’d love to go to Guatemala but the beaches there are meh and it’s hard to get around.

Thank you!!

If you think PR is dumpy you are definitely going to think Guatemala is dumpy.

Op here. I actually have traveled throughout Guatemala quite a bit, but it was many years ago. I did find some places dumpy but overall found it enchanting! I’m giving PR a closer look, though I still just don’t feel drawn to it (my own illogical hang up I think).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Costa Rica - beach in Samara gives off a Tulum-like vibe. Fly to SJO and then its a few hour drive. You can book a transfer because you don't need a car in the town. The town is fun an walkable but not colonial.

Honduras - I've been to Utila (better for diving), not Roatan (better for beaches) and Spanish & English are spoken there. But its a hassle to get to, so I would find some closer beaches. Towns are not cute.

Nicaragua- San Juan del Sur would also give some Tulum like vibes, but my Nica friend has avoided it the last few years so I wouldn't go back now either. but Granada + San Juan would check the boxes at another time in history.

Mexico- consider Holbox, "the next Tulum". Its the same flight to Cancun, but then a few hour transfer to the ferry. Holbox Dream is a great budget hotel on the beach. No ruins or culture nearby.

Colombia - fly to Cartagena. Within an hour or so is the Santa Marta area. Parque Tayrona is a gorgeous, protected park but I remember the lodging there to be pretty rustic. Rodadero is this resort town frequented by Colombians. Ocean City like. You can rent chairs and cover in a little stall and then all day people walk by "masaje? masaje?" "aqua de coco!" so you can definitely practice your Spanish. I don't remember it being the most beautiful beach of my life but its a pretty fun experience. Cartagena is a cute Colonial town but you leave the city for the good beaches.

I have an in law from El Salvador. Suchitoto is their cute colonial town. Costa del Sol is their beach. I haven't been though to make any recommendations.

Op here. Thank you for this list!! I have been to Holbox, it has also changed a lot in the last few years in a bad way I think I guess I’m being too picky. You’ve given me some great places to research, thank you!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:yeah would try Puerto Rico or Dominican Republic

Op here. Can anyone share their DR experience? I went like 20 years ago. It was pretty but we didn’t leave the resort at all, which seems to be how people approach DR trips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to Puerto Rico. Old San Juan for the colonial town, El Yunque for hiking and ziplining, and Vieques for amazing beaches. Bonus: bioluminescent bay in Vieques.

Op here. So this is dumb but it’s like I have a mental block around PR. I went through all the hassle of getting my kids passports and I’m gonna use them goshdarnit. Haha.

It sounds like I need to get over this.

I’ve also heard PR can be kind of dumpy….I must not be looking at the right places then!!

When were you hoping to go? Not sure if plan a 2023 spring break to PR right now. Vieques and Culebra are great, and combining with a couple days in San Juan and El Yunque would be a nice trip. I think those areas were not hit as hard by the recent hurricane. But the infrastructure is such a mess that again, I’d be hesitant booking something just a few months from now.

Could also see about Belize? Colombia is a good suggestion too.

Op here. Christmas 2022, or first week of Jan 2023. Alternatively, we are looking at the last week of January and/or first week or two of February 2023. Thank you again for all the ideas!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Worst American tourist ever and not even a bit embarrassed by it.

Op here. What do you mean?

[Anonymous]

Never been but people love Catragena.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:yeah would try Puerto Rico or Dominican Republic

Op here. Can anyone share their DR experience? I went like 20 years ago. It was pretty but we didn’t leave the resort at all, which seems to be how people approach DR trips.

PP who gave you the list of Holbox, etc. We went to the DR about 7-8 years ago and stayed at a nice resort in Punta Cana. And it was nice. We heard no Spanish in the resort! We also travelled around the country for another week and it was very ok, and I can say AIs/resorts are the way to go if you are going to the DR.

[Anonymous]

Belize, gorgeous water and snorkeling plus you can do some caving, mayan ruins, etc in the rain forest/jungle areas.

Costa Rica: amazing for wildlife, volcanos, rafting. I actually loved the very laid back beaches on the caribbean coast (cahuita) but its definitely not a place I'd travel to if I were looking for an AI type resort.

I hear Nevis is gorgeous (maybe $$$ though).